CHD Awareness Week

Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week is held each year from Feb. 7-14 to recognize children and adults living with congenital heart disease, celebrate their journey and increase public awareness of these heart conditions. During this week, the Children’s Heart Center holds events for patients, families and the community to:

• Provide hope for families of CHD survivors and comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
• Inform the general public about the symptoms of CHDs to help save lives.
• Affirm the need for increased funding to researchers and medical professionals so they can improve the outlook for CHD patients.

The Heart Center and Kids at Heart Program at Children’s encourage you to participate in our virtual and in-person events to help raise awareness about CHDs within our communities, as well as meet and connect with others on a similar journey. Browse our resources and events below, and join us in celebrating our CHD warriors.

What is congenital heart disease?

Congenital heart diseases, also known as congenital heart defects or CHDs, are birth defects that affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. It is the most common birth defect, with approximately 1% of newborns born with a CHD each year. Of those born with a CHD, 1 in 4 infants typically need surgery or other procedures in their first year of life. CHD treatment helps kids live into adulthood, and today, there are more than 2.4 million heart warriors, or children and adults living with CHDs, in the U.S.

*For sharing on social media, please tag @kidsatheartchoa on Facebook and #CHDChildrensATL.

Each family that tags @kidsatheartchoa and uses #CHDChildrensATL in their posts will be entered into a special giveaway drawing.

• Feb. 7: CHD Awareness at the Georgia State Capitol. Share the Proclamation that states, “February 7-14 is CHD Awareness Week in the State of Georgia.” Reach out to your local legislators to make sure they know they have a heart warrior living in their district.
• Feb. 8: CHD Awareness/Heart Month Night at Hudson Grace.
• Feb. 9: Share the Children’s CHD Awareness Graphic on Social Media/Via Email to family and friends to kick off CHD Awareness week.
• Feb. 10: Visit your local Chick-fil-A Atlanta stores and design a coloring sheet to thank the staff for selling Cookies for Kids and supporting their local CHD community. Post your pictures!
• Feb. 11: Heart Swap. Display or purchase a heart yard sign to support the Heart Center/Heart Warrior Community. Purchase a Heart.
• Feb. 12: Share your warrior’s story with this letter and graphic.
• Feb. 13: Family Support Dinner and Heart Month crafts, cookie decorating and story time at Egleston Hospital, 6:00 p.m. RSVP now!
• Feb. 14: Always in our Hearts: Today we remember the heart warriors who left us too soon. Post a photo and a memory of a warrior you want to honor with our community.

Join us for our 2024 CHD Awareness/Heart Month Celebration

When: Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Zoo Atlanta

RSVP coming soon.

Email kidsatheart@choa.org for more information.

There are many ways you can help us provide a better future for our heart patients. Whether fundraising on your own, donating directly or participating in events that benefit the Children’s Heart Center, you can play a valuable role in increasing awareness and support.

• Donate now or share this link on your social media profile.
• Purchase a shirt.

Join our Support Group

Are you the parent or guardian of a CHD warrior treated at Children’s? Enroll in our support group and join our private Facebook group to connect with other families!

Join our Facebook group (you must request access first).

Learn about CHD’s

As the largest pediatric heart program in the Southeast, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management of CHDs in children every day. Browse our website if you would like to learn more about the different types of CHDs and how they are treated, or to learn more about the Children’s Heart Center.